![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Nick-Jones.jpg\")
Nick Jones who has defected to Reform UK(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)<\/p>\nFormer Conservative candidate for Newport West and Islwyn, Nicholas Jones, has quit the party to join Reform UK as a Pontypool community councillorNick Jones who has defected to Reform UK(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)<\/p>\n
A former Conservative Parliamentary candidate has become the second Tory representative on a Gwent<\/a> council to switch allegiance to Reform UK<\/a>. Nicholas Jones, who stood for the Newport<\/a> West and Islwyn constituency for the Conservatives in 2024, secured third place after Reform finished runner-up to Labour’s Ruth Jones.<\/p>\n Reform UK has since confirmed that Mr Jones, who serves on Pontypool<\/a> Community Council, has joined their ranks and will represent the party on the volunteer-run council, which traditionally operates without party political divisions.<\/p>\n He follows Stephen Senior, who won election as a Conservative in a February by-election, in crossing the floor to Reform. The party also has representation on Pontypool Community Council through Sarah Lang, elected in the Trevethin ward during a July by-election.<\/p>\n Mr Jones previously served as a Torfaen<\/a> Borough Councillor for New Inn ward before being unseated at the 2022 council elections, where he came bottom of the poll as Labour<\/a> swept all three ward seats.<\/p>\n He retained his position as community councillor for New Inn Upper ward, standing unopposed in that contest. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n